Robert Longo Photography

American, b. 1953

The drawings by artist Robert Longo are a sensory experience: They are monumental, detailed and hard-hitting in their subject matter, which often includes critiques of power, social unrest and consumer capitalism.

Longo has spent his career exploring mediums as varied as the Photorealistic charcoal drawings for which he is best known and film direction. In all of his work, however, he draws inspiration from his deep background in sculpture. “I always think that drawing is a sculptural process. I always feel like I’m carving the image out rather than painting the image. I’m carving it out with erasers and tools like that,” he once said.

The Long Island, New York, native attended high school with a man who was shot at Kent State University while protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War in 1970, and the famous image of this man lying dead on the ground influenced Longo so deeply that he began to consider all art political. Longo attended Buffalo State College, where he met and became friends with artist Cindy Sherman, and later the two moved to New York City together.

Longo’s revered work includes his charcoal and graphite “Men in the Cities” drawings. The Photorealist series, which debuted at Metro Pictures gallery in Manhattan in 1981, depicted people in formal business clothing. Posing in suspended animation in unusual contortions, the figures take on a choreographic quality and represent the career-minded “yuppies” of the era.

“Men in the Cities” was inspired by punk rock music and decades later has been cited as a visual reference for the opening sequence of the popular television drama Mad Men. The work was among the most recognizable and iconic of the Pictures Generation — the movement by artists who came of age in the 1970s and were disillusioned by the social and political conditions of the time. In 2014, Longo created 12 charcoal drawings for a series titled “Gang of Cosmos,” which were black-and-white depictions of famous Abstract Expressionist works by artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Lee Krasner.

Through his provocative, detailed and highly precise prints, drawings, photography and sculpture, Longo continues to challenge traditional sources of power and authority.

Find original Robert Longo art on 1stDibs.

Artist: Robert Longo

Robert LongoRobert Longo - Men in the Cities 1984 Signed artist-certified photograph, unique, 1992

$10,000

Robert Longo - Men in the Cities 1984 Signed artist-certified photograph, unique

By Robert Longo

Located in New York, NY

Robert Longo, Men in the Cities (Rick) , 1984 - unique artist-certified photographic document, 1992 Vintage photographic print on Kodak paper, with unique artist inscription and cert...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Pencil, Graphite

Robert LongoTillman, Large Hand Signed Lithograph, Pop Art, 1999, Framed, Edition 50/50, 1999

$36,000

Tillman, Large Hand Signed Lithograph, Pop Art, 1999, Framed, Edition 50/50

By Robert Longo

Located in Aventura, FL

Lithograph on on Arches wove paper from Men in the Cities portfolio. Hand signed and numbered by Robert Longo. Published by Wolfryd-Selway Fine Art, New York, with their blindstamp....

Category

2010s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Robert LongoRobert Longo, Janet (from Men in the Cities) - Signed Photograph, 2016

$7,236

Robert Longo, Janet (from Men in the Cities) - Signed Photograph

By Robert Longo

Located in Hamburg, DE

Robert Longo (American, born 1953) Janet (from Men in the Cities), 1981/2016 Medium: Archival pigment print in colours, on Canson Platine fiber paper Dimensions: 47.7 x 35.5 cm Editi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Robert LongoRobert Longo, Eric, NYC: Signed C-Print and Artist's Book, 2009

$5,602

Robert Longo, Eric, NYC: Signed C-Print and Artist's Book

By Robert Longo

Located in Hamburg, DE

Robert Longo (b.1953) Eric, NYC, 1980, 2009 Medium: C-print on photo paper (incl. artist’s book) Dimensions: 25.5 x 18.5 cm (10 × 7 1/4 in) Edition of 100: Hand-signed in black pen

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

C Print

Robert LongoRussian Bomb (Semipalatinsk), Hand Signed Digital Print, Signed Edition of 35, 2011

$11,200

Russian Bomb (Semipalatinsk), Hand Signed Digital Print, Signed Edition of 35

By Robert Longo

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Published by Hatje Cantz Verlag, Berlin. Image: 21.75 x 15.75 in. Sheet: 23.875 x 17.875 in. Frame: 32.5 x 26.5 in. Artwork is in exce...

Category

2010s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Paper, Digital

Robert LongoUntitled (Janet), 1981/2016

$3,600

Untitled (Janet)

By Robert Longo

Located in New York, NY

An iconic and highly collectible image from Robert Longo’s, Men in the Cities series, this color print was taken in 1981 and print again by the artist in 2016. A chromogenic print o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

C Print

Christopher MakosAndy Warhol In Aspen, Gelatin Silver Print by Christopher Makos, 1983, 1983, printed 1989

$2,500

H 11 in W 14 in

Andy Warhol In Aspen, Gelatin Silver Print by Christopher Makos, 1983

By Christopher Makos

Located in Long Island City, NY

This gelatin silver print was created by American photographer Christopher Makos. Makos is well known for his relationships with icons like Andy Warhol, Tennessee Williams, and John ...

Category

1990s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Ian SandersonSigned limited edition Landscape, Contemporary, Paris France - Pont d' Arcole, 2004

$3,501

H 18.9 in W 29.53 in D 0.08 in

Signed limited edition Landscape, Contemporary, Paris France - Pont d' Arcole

By Ian Sanderson

Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

An original signed archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm paper by Scottish artist Ian Sanderson (1951- 2020) titled ‘ Pont d' Arcole ‘, a bridge of Paris, Fr...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Black and White, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pigment

Jake ChessumJake Chessum 'Amy Winehouse Camden Town Launderett' Signed Limited Edition Print, 2004

$4,400

H 30 in W 40 in D 0.01 in

Jake Chessum 'Amy Winehouse Camden Town Launderett' Signed Limited Edition Print

By Jake Chessum

Located in London, GB

Kate Moss Amy Winehouse Camden Town Launderette III by Jake Chessum ‘In a now closed launderette on Camden Parkway. This was at the end of the day as it was getting dark. We didn’t ...

Category

Early 2000s Modern Robert Longo Photography

Materials

C Print, Color

David HockneyVenice Walk 1983 Vintage David Hockney Exhibition Poster in turquoise teal, 1983

$125

H 24 in W 34 in

Venice Walk 1983 Vintage David Hockney Exhibition Poster in turquoise teal

By David Hockney

Located in New York, NY

This vintage exhibition poster features a David Hockney photographic collage. Hockney’s keen eye and uncanny ability to capture his subjects’ individuality is evident in this casual...

Category

1980s Realist Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Lithograph

David HockneyVintage David Hockney Poster Gregory Loading His Camera 1983 in millennial pink, 1983

$195

H 39 in W 24 in

Vintage David Hockney Poster Gregory Loading His Camera 1983 in millennial pink

By David Hockney

Located in New York, NY

This vintage exhibition poster features a David Hockney photographic collage. A young man with a mop of curls wearing brown leather loafers crouches over his camera, reloading its f...

Category

1980s Realist Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Lithograph

Samuel FieldBandstand III, Eastbourne, UK - Black and White Vintage Photography, 1985

$201

H 15.75 in W 20.48 in D 1.38 in

Bandstand III, Eastbourne, UK - Black and White Vintage Photography

By Samuel Field

Located in Cambridge, GB

'Bandstand', captured on a visit to his grandparents at the British seaside in Eastbourne, this collection by Samuel Field is a beautiful reminder of days gone by. This artwork is a...

Category

1980s Post-War Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, Black and White, C Print, Silver Gelatin

Andy WarholCatherine Guinness & Jed Johnson in Aspen, 1979

$25,000

H 8 in W 10 in

Catherine Guinness & Jed Johnson in Aspen

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped on the reverse by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation number also on verso. The work comes with an Authentication Letter from th...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Andrew PinkhamThe Critic Archival Pigment Print, Signed Edition of 10, Contemporary, 2016

$800

H 20 in W 16 in

The Critic Archival Pigment Print, Signed Edition of 10, Contemporary

By Andrew Pinkham

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This archival illustrative photography pigment print on cotton rag by Andrew Pinkham measures 20in x 16in and is signed and numbered. This piece is part of a small edition of 10. "...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Leni SinclairLeni Sinclair PRINCE photograph Detroit 1980 (Prince 1980), Printed later

$500

H 14 in W 11 in

Leni Sinclair PRINCE photograph Detroit 1980 (Prince 1980)

By Leni Sinclair

Located in NEW YORK, NY

A stand out image of the late Prince, shot by legendary Detroit photographer Leni Sinclair, 2016's Kresge Foundation's Eminent Artist of 2016 (See The Guardian UK Photo Section, Jan. 28, 2016) Dimensions: 11 x 14 inches including borders Inkjet Print on Epson Photographic Paper Hand signed, titled & dated in ink on the lower margins Lot 180 is an authorized dealer rep of the artist About Leni Sinclair Sinclair is a recognized leader of the 1960s-70s counter cultural movement in Detroit, which she amply documented through vivid and dramatic photography. But she may be best known for capturing the raucous rock n’ roll scene of that era, including photographs of such rock legends...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Inkjet

Massimo ListriMassimo Listri, Reggia di Portici III, Napoli, 2019

$25,000

H 70.87 in W 88.59 in

Massimo Listri, Reggia di Portici III, Napoli

By Massimo Listri

Located in New York, NY

Reggia di Portici, III Napoli, 2013 Chromogenic print Edition of 5 Signed, dated, and numbered on verso label Mounted on aluminum, framed 39.5 x 47.5 inches edition of 5 47.5 x...

Category

2010s Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

C Print

Andrew PinkhamScrutiny Archival Pigment Print, Contemporary Portrait, Signed, 2015

$800

H 20 in W 16 in

Scrutiny Archival Pigment Print, Contemporary Portrait, Signed

By Andrew Pinkham

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This archival illustrative photography pigment print on cotton rag by Andrew Pinkham measures 20in x 16in and is signed and numbered. This piece is part of a small edition of 10. "...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Christopher MakosWarhol's America Black and White Print (1982), 2020, 2020

$20,400

H 59.5 in W 41.75 in D 2 in

Warhol's America Black and White Print (1982), 2020

By Christopher Makos

Located in New York, NY

The 'Andy Warhol American Flag' is an archival pigment black and white photographic print on paper, an exclusive photograph of the beloved pop-art icon Andy Warhol, created by Christ...

Category

2010s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Archival Paper

Previously Available Items

Robert LongoCindy And Eric - Pigment Print on Paper by Robert Longo - 2014, 1981/2014

Sold

H 18 in W 14.02 in D 0.08 in

Cindy And Eric - Pigment Print on Paper by Robert Longo - 2014

By Robert Longo

Located in Roma, IT

Image dimensions of each of the photos: 37.8x25.4 cm. Cindy And Eric is an original artwork, pigment prints on paper, from the series Men in the Cities, realized by Robert Longo in 1...

Category

2010s Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Robert LongoSTUDY OF FERGUSON RIOT COPS, 2015

Sold

H 16 in W 20.5 in

STUDY OF FERGUSON RIOT COPS

By Robert Longo

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed, titled and dated by the artist. Original ink and charcoal on vellum paper. Framed size approx 30.75 x 34 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Auth...

Category

2010s Pop Art Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Paper, Ink

Robert LongoWAVE, 2003

Sold

H 15.25 in W 40 in

WAVE

By Robert Longo

Located in Aventura, FL

Hand signed, dated and numbered by the artist. Lithograph and screenprint on wove paper for Lincoln Center Festival. Published by the Lincoln Center List Poster and Print Project, Ne...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Materials

Paper, Lithograph, Screen

Robert LongoHell's Gate, 2005

Sold

H 41.5 in W 42.75 in

Hell's Gate

By Robert Longo

Located in Boston, MA

Artist: Longo, Robert Title: Hell's Gate Date: 2005 Medium: Archival pigment print on wove paper Unframed Dimensions: 41.5" x 42.75" Framed Dimensions: 42.75" x 44.75" Signatur...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Robert Longo Photography

Robert Longo photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Longo photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Longo in paper, archival pigment print, c print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Pop Art style. Not every interior allows for large Robert Longo photography, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Andrew Unangst, Michael Childers, and Keith Haring. Robert Longo photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,500 and tops out at $25,540, while the average work can sell for $14,000.

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Questions About Robert Longo Photography

What kind of paper does Robert Longo use?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Robert Longo uses cold roll paper. The artist himself explained in an interview that the paper he prefers is not handmade, instead it is machine-made, archival paper. Longo is best known for his paintings that capture realistic moments and express the inner strength of his subjects. Shop a selection of Longo pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
What different types of art does Robert Longo make?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
With roots in sculpture, contemporary artist Robert Longo is best known for his charcoal and graphite drawings, which showcased men and women in mid-movement. You can shop a selection of Robert Longo pieces from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

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